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Patricia Prendergast

Patricia Prendergast

LCSW

Practical trauma-informed support and clear next steps

Continue with Patricia Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Practical coping skills
  • Warm collaborative style

About Patricia

Patricia Prendergast is an LCSW who focuses on helping people facing trauma, addiction, relationship problems, and parenting stress. She writes in a straightforward way and aims to make the first steps toward change easier to manage. Patricia listens without judgment and helps people clarify what they want to change and how to get there.

She draws on nearly three decades of experience working with individuals who have faced trauma, grief, mood challenges, and life transitions. Her approach is practical and person-centered. Sessions often include talking through immediate concerns, learning coping skills, and planning small steps that fit into day-to-day life.

Patricia uses methods that emphasize safety and connection, such as Attachment-Based Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy, paired with techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when helpful. She also brings Motivational Interviewing into conversations about change, especially around addiction and habit shifts. The work is collaborative and paced to each person's needs.

People can expect plain language, clear options, and help sorting through difficult feelings like shame, anger, and grief. Patricia pays attention to relationship patterns, caregiving stress, and the impact of loss or abandonment on self-worth. She helps people set realistic goals and track progress over time.

Her practice is based in Illinois and conducted in English. If someone wants to begin, the process starts by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire before scheduling sessions.

How trauma-informed and attachment-focused approaches work online

Patricia draws on Trauma-Focused Therapy to address the impact of traumatic events on daily life, helping people reduce painful reactions and build manageable coping steps. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early and current relationship patterns affect trust and closeness, and it helps people practice different ways of relating that feel safer and more effective.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, then tailor sessions using trauma-focused and attachment-aware techniques alongside client-centered listening and cognitive-behavioral tools. That planning is collaborative and reviewed as needs change.

Practical benefits of online therapy include easier scheduling and fitting sessions into a busy week, which can make regular attendance more achievable. Online options can also reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online session options before booking to make sure they fit your routine and goals.

These summaries are based on the profile information listed on BetterHelp. Listing trauma-focused therapy does not mean a therapist holds a specific certification such as TF-CBT, EMDR or CPT.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issues

Also works with

Eating disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepressionCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationGuilt and shameLife purposeMood disordersPost-traumatic stressSelf-love

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

28+ years

Credentials

Illinois

Languages

English

Licenses listed

As listed on the therapist's profile. You can check a license with the state licensing board and an NPI in the national registry.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?

Areas include addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship problems, grief, parenting stress, eating concerns, anger, self-esteem, career and mood disorders.

How would therapy feel in sessions with Patricia?

Her style is warm and person-centered, focusing on listening, practical coping skills, and collaborative planning to meet specific goals.

How much experience does the therapist bring?

She has 28 years of clinical experience working with individuals affected by trauma, addiction, and family-related stressors.

What credentials and location apply to this therapist?

She holds an LCSW credential and practices in Illinois.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English only.

What session formats are offered?

Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with this therapist?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Therapists on BetterHelp do not prescribe medication; a doctor can talk with you about medical options. This directory is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988.

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